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This paper reports exploratory research that considers two challenges recognised in the disaster risk reduction (DRR) community in recent years: one is the reinforcement of community-based DRR and the other is experts' prioritising high-impact/low-frequency hazards. Inquiries into stakeholders'—community members' in particular—understandings of disaster risks have been scarce. The research aimed to address these gaps by investigating communities' perceptions around community-based DRR and disaster risks. The research focused on natural water hazards, such as floods and typhoons generated due to atmospheric forcing factors, as well as tsunamis in four communities in Japan and England. A field survey of major structural mitigation solutions, non-structural measures, and community interviews revealed that community members did not necessarily find the often-used impact/frequency description of hazards helpful in developing and implementing community-based DRR activities. Such hazard-based scientific language does not necessarily correspond with the general public. The paper attempted 'the number of affected people', which was recognised by the research participants, to be applied as a tool for understanding disaster risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]